A minor change in the school day schedule is costing some high school students their ability to participate in after-school activities and impacting their part-time jobs.

Aden Horbachewsky, a Grade 9 Porter Creek Secondary School (PCSS) student, appeared at Monday evening’s city council meeting.

He asked council to consider changing the city’s transit schedule.

That way, he and others would be able to make it downtown after school in time for extra-curricular activities and part-time jobs, Horbachewsky told council.

His mother, Jennifer Daniels, also addressed council during the presentation.

The city and the territory’s Department of Education have a partnership where local secondary school students can opt to receive a free transit pass for the school year.

If they choose to take the transit pass, they do not have access to the school bus system.

The request to council comes as a result of a lengthened school day for students.

At PCSS, Horbachewsky said, students now get out of school at 3:05 p.m. rather than right around 3 p.m.

Last year’s school schedule meant that PCSS students who used the city transit system were able to run and catch the 3:03 bus outside the school.

They could then get downtown at 3:20 p.m. in time for after-school activities at 3:30 p.m.

Or, those with part-time jobs could start a work shift, Horbachewsky and Daniels explained to council.

Daniels said this year’s school schedule means that the earliest bus PCSS students can catch is at 3:31 p.m.

That means they arrive downtown at around 3:50 p.m., after many activities have started.

It also means students who work can’t start until about 4 p.m.

Overall, Daniels said, the program to provide the transit pass to high school students has been working well. It has enabled students to get to jobs and take part in extra-curricular activities outside of school hours.

“It is a positive option,” Daniels said, noting the scheduling glitch is the first issue that’s come up with the system.

Horbachewsky has circulated a petition among PCSS students who use the city bus system.

Over two days, he was able to collect 23 signatures from those supporting a transit schedule change.

Typically, about 25 students catch the 3:31 p.m. bus at the Hickory Street school, Daniels said.

She also said she knows of students from F.H. Collins Secondary School and Vanier Catholic Secondary School who are experiencing similar issues due to the changes in the school day schedule.

Council members were quick to offer their praise to Horbachewsky for bringing the issue to light.

Coun. Rob Fendrick also commented it’s unfortunate there wasn’t more consultation done with other agencies when work was being performed to lengthen the school day.

Council directed city staff to look into the matter.

A Department of Education official was not available to the Star before press time this afternoon to discuss the problems or Fendrick’s concerns about the consultation process.

Council also heard concerns about the bus system from local resident Yolande Vachon.

She argued the city should consider adding Sunday service and reinstate the 7 a.m. Saturday service, rather than starting it at 8 a.m.